Good idea Bakerman.
A dog is man’s best friend and you deserve one and so does the dog.
I’m sure the members here can help you with the decision on what type.
I agree with Besoeker that stress can do a lot of things.
A dog will help you distress and live in the moment.
I’m really happy that you’ve made this decision.
Good stuff.

I know I’ve mentioned this before but a naturopath doctor might be helpful with your diagnosis. They do clinical / medical testing just like conventional doctors but will treat your symptoms holistically

Whatever it was, food poisoning or a virus, has passed. Yesterday I managed to eat 1/2 a banana and a bowl of Ramen noodle soup. This morning I ate some eggs and corned beef hash.

I think it was that darn street taco I ate. I know better than to eat street food. Temporary insanity. I was so hungry. ha Ha

It does fit food poisoning Bakerman.
At least that has passed.
Now we need to work on your stress levels.

I do remember reading back. A dog was suggested, now I agree that a hearing dog specially trained might be a good thing, you will also get to meet and chat with others, also a good thing. But, it will need walking, if you are feeling weak or lethargic, this will then become a burden.
What about a cat?

It does fit food poisoning Bakerman.
At least that has passed.
Now we need to work on your stress levels.

I do remember reading back. A dog was suggested, now I agree that a hearing dog specially trained might be a good thing, you will also get to meet and chat with others, also a good thing. But, it will need walking, if you are feeling weak or lethargic, this will then become a burden.
What about a cat?

A dog, most certainly. A cat, never ! As a cook, I can't stand having a cat jump up on my kitchen counter and start eating my food.
Besides, dogs are smarter. they understand human speech and will obey. A cat may, or may not, understand human speech, but if they do, they just don't care.

It does fit food poisoning Bakerman.
At least that has passed.
Now we need to work on your stress levels.

I do remember reading back. A dog was suggested, now I agree that a hearing dog specially trained might be a good thing, you will also get to meet and chat with others, also a good thing. But, it will need walking, if you are feeling weak or lethargic, this will then become a burden.
What about a cat?

I don't know how it works where Bakerman lives, Sweetie, but you can't just choose what breed you fancy, it would depend on which dogs were trained and ready to go to someone.

They would also have stringent checks to see whether the new household was capable of looking after it, exercising him, getting his food in, taking it for veterinary check ups, and maybe even an enclosed garden - although I can't be sure on that one.
I would imagine if a dog needed to toilet suddenly in the middle of the night it would be difficult in a block of flats for example.

Bakerman, may I suggest if you don't want an exciteable youngster that needs lots of house-training, lead training, exercise, and socialising work, you consider an older dog that's passed all that and just grateful for a warm bed and some companionship?

Even then, if you are as ill as you have said, do you think you could manage all the extra work, and perhaps you could think about who would look after him if you were taken ill again.

Mups, I agree with everything you just said. A 2 year old dog, with a low energy level would be prefect. Big problem: as I live in Mexico, a trained hearing dog is out of the question. If I lived just across the border, in the U.S., I could get one for free. In Mexico, super expensive ! And I do mean super expensive.

I have given some thought to caring for the dog. His needs must come 1st. If I had another heart attack and was laid up in hospital for many days, what would happen to the poor beast ? All of my neighbors are Mexican, and I trust and like them, (up to a point), but not so much that I'd feel comfortable giving any of them keys to my place.

In the U.S. getting a "rescue" dog from a shelter would not be a problem , If I lived in the U.S., but they would not allow a dog to go with me to Mexico. Unfortunately, some bad guys use small dogs as training dogs for fighting Pit Bulls".